How did WWI affect the Empire?

Question 1

How did WWI demonstrate the Empire’s value?

Answer 1

• 2.5m colonials fought for Britain
• Killed in war: 59,300 Australians, 56,639 Canadians, 16,711 New Zealanders, 7121 SA, 2000 East Africans, 950 West Africans

Question 2

What and when was the Treaty of San Remo?

Answer 2

• 1920

- Split up German and Ottoman mandates between the allies

Question 3

How large did the British Empire become?

Answer 3

• Its largest
• Additional 1.8m square miles
• Additional 13m subjects

Question 4

Where did Britain gain control of?

Answer 4

• Palestine, Iraq (Mesopotamia) and Transjordan from the Ottoman Empire
• Cameroon, Togoland and Tanganyika from Germany’s African colonies

Question 5

What were the 3 types of mandates?

Answer 5

1) Developed territories so independence viable in near future with some help e.g. Palestine and Iraq
2) Territories which required longer periods of guidance before independence contemplated e.g. Tanganyika where slavery still existed
3) Territories where independence wasn’t feasible due to being isolated, having a small population or small in size e.g. New Guinea

Question 6

What and when was the Balfour Declaration?

Answer 6

• 1917

- Declared British will give Jews a homeland i.e. Zionism

Question 7

What and when was the Montagu Declaration?

Answer 7

• 1917

- Indians would eventually get self-gov, no timeline

Question 8

What are some examples of nationalism as a direct result of WWI (mandates)?

Answer 8

• 1920 Iraqi demonstrations…
• 1922, Egypt granted independence
• General turbulence in Middle Eastern Mandates
• Irish calls for independence on the back of the Easter Rising in Dublin 1916
• Rowlatt Act 1919 leading to Amritsar

Question 9

How could you argue against WWI sparking nationalism?

Answer 9

• African nationalism, including in mandates, remains quiet and are ultimately loyal to British
• British handle nationalism with policies and treaties